nted), "Well, they don't
_look_ 'ungry." Others on this side surmised that we were suspected
waiters rounded up from the different restaurants, and made humorous
complaints to us in our late capacities--as that their ice-pudding had
been fried too long. But on the road side we did better. Dear ladies,
observing only the flower of the Corps (myself and others), took us for
the real thing and called down blessings and kisses upon our heads; and
for a time we even deceived a small boy who had been watching us
eagerly. But only for a time. "Lumme," he said aloud to himself,
"there's _anuvver_ of 'em wiv knock-knees," and disillusionment cannot
have been long delayed.

It may be admitted that some of the more active ones feel it a little
that they have to carry the more elderly ones with them. A suggestion
has been made that there should be an age-limit of eighty-five, but I
don't know if it will come to anything. Another suggestion is that a
special Veterans' Wing should be formed, which, instead of marching,
would go out at the week-ends with a couple of cement-hounds, and look
for cement foundations. It is felt that the work would be useful and yet
not too active. It is in the same spirit that we discuss what will be
done with the Corps as a whole when the Germans arrive. The pessimistic
view is that we shall be immediately interned by the War Office, to keep
us out of trouble. Others, more hopeful, think that we might be kept for
"exchanges," in case the enemy make any notable captures. For instance,
five of us might be considered the equivalent of an artillery mule; a
platoon would balance a Territorial subaltern; and the whole bunch could
be offered for (say) the return of the Albert Memorial. But the most
popular impression is that we shall be asked to give some sort of
display in the centre, _in order to lure the Germans on_. And while we
are forming fours strongly and persistently in front of them ... the
real attack (Regulars and Territorials--with rifles) ... will fall
suddenly upon their flanks ... and decimate them.

So we talk, but at heart we take it seriously; and very seriously and
gratefully we take the real soldiers who give up their time to teach us,
and do not seem to think that that time will be altogether wasted.

A. A. M.

* * * * *

MISTAKEN POLICY.

"Thorny Bank."

Dear Sir,--I am directed to give you notice that the Vesuvius Fire
Insurance Co., Ltd. has lat